Automatic generation of bank deposits

ABSTRACT

An accounting system has a data file and a bank deposit generator. The data file contains a plurality of financial transactions. Each financial transaction includes associated information. The bank deposit generator is adapted to identify one or more cash-in transactions of the plurality of transactions according to selectable criteria and to associate the one or more cash-in transactions to a bank deposit transaction based on a correlation between the associated information and the selectable criteria.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to computer-based accounting systems, and moreparticularly, to systems and methods for automated generation of bankdeposits in conjunction with cash-in transaction information.

Traditionally, deposits of cash-in transactions in a bank begin with areceipt of monies (e.g., cash, check, and the like). The monies are thentallied and taken, for example, to a bank for deposit. A deposit ticketfor depositing the received monies in the bank is prepared, and themonies are deposited in the bank with the deposit ticket.

Often, checkout registers at stores, for example, are linkedelectronically to a computerized accounting system. Each sale can beposted to the accounts receivable sub-ledger of the accounting system,automatically.

Ultimately, to balance the accounting books, the deposit tickets have tobe matched with monies received, which means that each deposit ticketshould be associated with transaction lines within the accountsreceivable sub-ledger. However, a single bank deposit often reflectsmonies received from a plurality of cash-in transactions (a plurality oftransaction lines), making it difficult to readily identify specificcash-in transactions that are part of any given deposit. As used herein,the term “cash-in transaction” refers to any transaction through whichpayment is received, including, for example, cash, check, money order,wire transaction, prepaid cards, and the like.

In some existing enterprise accounting systems, a user can create a bankdeposit and pick which cash-in transactions belong to the created bankdeposit. In other systems, the user can assign individual cash-intransactions to an existing bank deposit. Generally, existing enterpriseaccounting systems provide the ability to total the bank deposit and toprint it, which is a vast improvement over manually listing each cashand check amount. Nevertheless, the process of assigning cash-intransactions to bank deposits is time-consuming and can be difficult,depending on the number of cash-in transactions and deposits.

There is an ongoing need for accounting systems that simplify theprocess of assigning cash-in transactions to bank deposits within theenterprise system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An accounting system has a data file and a bank deposit generator. Thedata file contains a plurality of financial transactions. Each financialtransaction includes associated information. The bank deposit generatoris adapted to identify one or more cash-in transactions of the pluralityof transactions according to selectable criteria and to associate theone or more cash-in transactions to a bank deposit transaction based ona correlation between the associated information and the selectablecriteria.

In one embodiment, a method for generating a bank deposit in anaccounting system is provided. Cash-in transactions within a financialtransactions data file are identified based on one or more selectablecriteria. The identified cash-in transactions are associated to adeposit record. Each of the associated cash-in transactions is updatedin the financial transactions data file with a deposit identifierassociated with the deposit record.

In another embodiment, an enterprise accounting system has a data fileand a bank deposit generator. The data file contains financialtransactions and associated information. The bank deposit generator isadapted to assign cash-in transactions of the financial transactions toa bank deposit based on a correlation between the associated informationand selectable criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a computing system environment on whichan embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a computer-based accountingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a portion of an accountingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a simplified table of a series of deposits in an accountingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified table of bank deposits with associated receiptsgenerated from a report generator of the accounting system according anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified flow diagram of a process for generating adeposit report based on selectable report criteria according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment100 on which the invention may be implemented. The computing systemenvironment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing environmentand is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating toany one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplaryoperating environment 100.

The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, telephony systems, distributedcomputing environments that include any of the above systems or devices,and the like.

The invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, whichperform particular tasks or which implement particular abstract datatypes. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing theinvention includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 110. Components of computer 110 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus121 that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architecturesinclude Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. The phrase “computer storage media” is intendedto include both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by computer 110.Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer readablemedia.

The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134, applicationprograms 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.

The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removablevolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152,and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141 is typically connectedto the system bus 121 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 150.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 1, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 110. In FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustratedas storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other programmodules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can eitherbe the same as or different from operating system 134, applicationprograms 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137. Operatingsystem 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, andprogram data 147 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, ata minimum, they are different copies.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 110 throughinput devices such as a keyboard 162, a microphone 163, and a pointingdevice 161, such as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices(not shown) may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to theprocessing unit 120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupledto the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus(USB). A monitor 191 or other type of display device is also connectedto the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190.In addition to the monitor, computers may also include other peripheraloutput devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may beconnected through an output peripheral interface 195.

The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a hand-helddevice, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other commonnetwork node, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to the computer 110. The logical connectionsdepicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a widearea network (WAN) 173, but may also include other networks. Suchnetworking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connectedto the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes amodem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user inputinterface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remoteapplication programs 185 as residing on remote computer 180. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

The present invention provides a feature within an enterprise accountingsystem for automatic generation of bank deposits. A generated bankdeposit can be a summary of all data entered for a particular sessionper bank account. This deposit generation method can then be associatedto particular cash-in transactions or to a series of cash-intransactions with a full audit trail.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an accounting system 200according to an embodiment of the present invention. The accountingsystem 200 includes an accounting engine 202 and ledger data 204. Theledger data 204 generally includes a general ledger 206 surrounded by aseries of sub-ledgers or subsidiary ledgers (208-222). The sub-ledgerscan include a payroll sub-ledger 208, a cost accounting sub-ledger 210,an accounts receivable sub-ledger 212, an accounts payable sub-ledger214, an order entry sub-ledger 216, an inventory control sub-ledger 218,a fixed-assets accounting sub-ledger 220, and other sub-ledgers 222,depending on the specific implementation.

A general ledger 206 represents the central books of an enterprise orcompany, and every financial transaction is posted to the general ledger206. All entries that are entered (posted) to the sub-ledgers (208-222)transact through the general ledger 206. For example, when a credit saleposted in an accounts receivable sub-ledger 212 turns into cash due toreceipt of a payment (a cash-in transaction), the cash-in transaction isposted to the general ledger 206 and to the accounts receivablesub-ledger 212. The cash-in transaction may also be posted to a cash-insub-ledger (such as other subledger 222), depending on the specificimplementation.

There may be times when items are posted directly to the general ledger206 without any sub-ledger postings. For example, capital financialtransactions that have no operational sub-ledgers may be posted to thegeneral ledger 206. These types of postings may include items such ascapital contributions, loan proceeds, loan repayments (principal), andproceeds from sales of assets. These items can be linked to the balancesheet but not necessarily to profit and loss statements. In general, thegeneral ledger 206 provides an internal trail of transactions, so thatany discrepancy (such as double-billing, unrecorded payments, and thelike) can be readily identified and the origin can be traced in order toverify the accuracy of the accounting.

Each of the sub-ledgers (208-222) are ledgers containing detailedentries of the subledger. Typically, a sub-ledger summarizes theentries, then sends the summary up to the general ledger 206. Forexample, an accounts receivable sub-ledger 212 records all credit salesand payments received. The transactions can be summed together andposted to the general ledger 206. The value of the posting can then beadjusted within the general ledger 206. Additionally, information withinthe posted sub-ledger transactions can be used to increase cash anddecrease inventory, thereby affecting other ledgers within the system200.

The balance of each sub-ledger entry should exactly equal the accountbalance for that sub-ledger account in the general ledger 206. If itdoes not, there is a problem.

The accounting engine 202 can also include a user interface, reportingfeatures, and various other functions and user options for interactingwith the ledger data 204.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an enterprise system 300according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 300includes an accounting system 302, which can be coupled to one or morebusinesses, such as businesses 304A and 304B, over a network 305 or bydirect connections (indicated by phantom arrows). Each of the one ormore businesses 304A and 304B can include one or more inputs (such ascash registers, generally indicated by reference numeral 306 andidentified by “R1”, “R2”, “R3”, “R4”, “R5”, and “R6”). In this instance,the registers 306 record cash-in transactions (cash, check, debit, moneyorder, prepaid card, credit card, and other payment types), which can beuploaded to the accounting system 302 over network 305.

The accounting system 302 can include an accounting engine 308, a userinterface 310, ledger data 311, user data 312, a receivables manager314, a bank manager feature 316, a sort feature 318, a bank depositgenerator 320, an admin/setup utility 322, an import/export feature 324,and optionally other accounting system feature(s) 326. A user, such asan accountant, can access the data stored in the ledger data 311 byinteracting with user interface 310. The user interface 310 can be usedto manipulate the data in the ledger data 311 using the accountingengine 308. The user data 312 can include user names, associatedpassword information, and associated access privileges to control accessto the system 302. The accounting engine 308 is adapted to controlaccess to the ledger data 311 based on the user data 312. Thereceivables manager feature 314 can be used by an accountant to accessindividual transaction lines in the ledger data 311. The bank managerfeature 316 can be used by an accountant to access deposit data from abank 328, over network 305 or by direct connection (indicated by arrow330). The sort feature 318 can be used to sort cash-in transactions intoa selected order based on one or more selectable criteria.

Cash-in transactions are recorded to the ledger data 311 over network305 from each of the registers R1 through R6. Subsequently, eachbusiness 304A and 304B (or even a cashier for each register) depositschecks and cash (or other payment types) at one or more banks 328 (asindicated by phantom arrows 332A and 332B).

To assign cash-in transactions to the bank deposits, a user, such as anaccountant, can access the bank deposit generator 320 through userinterface 310, select one or more criteria, and generate one or morebank deposits. The report generator 320 automatically groups theindividual cash-in transactions based on the user selectable criteria toproduce bank deposits. Generally, the cash-in transactions can begrouped according to any information associated with the transactionlines that are posted to the ledger data 311. In one embodiment, theselectable criteria includes a bank account ID, a currency type, apayment method, a payment receipt status, a User ID, and a date range.The user can group cash-in transactions using the report generator basedon any combination of the selectable criteria. A bank deposit is thenautomatically generated by the system for each unique criteria met bythe cash-in transactions.

As used herein, the term “bank deposit” refers to a grouping of cash-intransactions, which match selected criteria. A bank deposit can refer toa deposit of monies in a bank institution, resulting in a depositreceipt or ticket. The accounting system generates a bank deposit basedon selected criteria, resulting in a logical grouping of cash-intransactions based on the criteria within a deposit report. Acorresponding association can also be created within the ledger data311. For example, a hidden variable can be set within a cash-intransaction record to indicate that the cash-in transaction has alreadybeen associated with a deposit, so that future deposit generation eventsdo not include the associated cash-in transaction.

FIG. 4 is a simplified tabular view of a portion of an accountsreceivable ledger 400 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The ledger 400 includes a plurality of fields, includingreceipt number 402, bank account 404, currency type 406, payment method408, receipt status 410, User ID 412, Date 414, and amount 416.

The receipt number 402 can be an automatically generated unique numberfor each cash-in transaction. The bank account 404 can be an accountnumber or an unique identifier for each deposit account (in thisinstance the identifiers are “Bank_(—)1” and “Bank_(—)2”) for whichcash-in transactions may need to be grouped. Currency type 406 refers tothe currency denomination, such as US dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros,and so on. The payment method 408 refers to the form of payment, such asa check, wire transfer, electronic funds transfer, money order, cash,and so on. The receipt status 410 refers to the status of the payment,such as received (cash), posted (check, wire transfer, or electronicfunds transfer), released (wire transfer or electronic funds transfer),and the like. The user ID 412 refers to the user responsible forentering each cash-in transaction (in this instance, the User ID 412 iseither “Arnie” or “Phyllis”). The date 414 refers to the date on whichthe cash-in transaction occurred. The amount 416 is the currency valueof the cash-in transaction.

In general, a single deposit should have the same bank account andcurrency type as other cash-in transactions associated with thatdeposit. In other words, a single deposit should not have both Canadianand US denominations. Additionally, a single deposit is directed to onlyone bank account. However, deposits can include different paymentmethods, different statuses, and different dates, and deposits caninclude cash-in transactions associated with more than one user ID.Thus, cash-in transactions for Phyllis and Arnie can be associated witha single deposit, provided the monies are deposited in the same bank andare of the same currency type.

In general, cash-in transactions, which are not already assigned to abank deposit, can be grouped for automatic assignment to a bank depositby bank account and currency type. The cash-in transactions can befurther defined and/or sorted by payment method, receipt status, UserID, date range, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a simplified report 500 of bank deposits illustrating cash-intransaction grouping according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The simplified report 500 was generated using the bankdeposit generator (indicated by reference numeral 320 in FIG. 3) basedon selectable criteria, including bank account, currency and paymentmethod. The report 500 includes transaction number (bank/denomination)502, receipt number(s) 504, and itemized and total amounts 506 for eachdeposit grouping.

In this instance, cash-in transactions 015309 and 015310 are groupedtogether and associated with a single deposit because the cash-intransactions each satisfy the selected criteria (both are deposited inBank_(—)1, both are in US denominations, and both were paid by check).Thus, the report generator automatically grouped individual cash-intransactions from accounts receivable (for example) under a singledeposit.

By permitting user selection of criteria for the bank deposit, theaccounting system is adapted to generate the bank deposits for the user,quickly. Moreover, the user is empowered to generate depositsautomatically based on any combination of bank account, currency type,payment method, receipt status, User ID, Date Range, amount, and so on.Other selectable criteria may include a register identifier (forexample), a business identifier (such as a location ID for a largeenterprise with multiple stores to differentiate between locations), andthe like. In general, the report generator provides a means by which theuser can access information associated with the cash-in transactions inorder to simplify and accelerate the bank deposit/cash-in associationprocess. Since the system possesses information associated with eachcash-in transaction, such as who entered it, how much it was for, whenit was made, the payment method, and so on, that information can be usedto assist in book-keeping.

FIG. 6 is a simplified flow diagram of a process for generating a bankdeposit according to an embodiment of the present invention. A useraccesses a bank deposit generator feature of an accounting systemthrough a user interface (step 600). The user selects one or moreselectable criteria (step 602). The bank deposit generator retrievesunassociated cash-in transactions (meaning cash-in transactions notpreviously associated with a bank deposit) stored in the ledger data(step 604). The bank deposit generator automatically groups cash-intransactions based on commonality within the selectable criteria (step606). The bank deposit generator associates each unique grouping ofcash-in transactions to a unique deposit (step 608). The bank depositgenerator modifies each of the cash-in transactions in an associatedgrouping to include a deposit identifier (step 610). The depositidentifier is a flag or information field within the cash-in transactionline or record of the ledger file that provides a means for identifyingthe deposit to which each grouped cash-in transaction is associated.Finally, the bank deposit generator generates a bank deposit report(step 612). The bank deposit report can contain any number of bankdeposits, and each bank deposit is associated with one or more of thepreviously unassociated cash-in transactions. Optionally, the user canmanipulate the report through the user interface, such as by sorting thedeposit list using a sort feature of the system (step 614).

In one embodiment, a deposit record is created in a general ledger orcentralized ledger, and the associated cash-in transactions areidentified within the deposit record transaction line. In anotherembodiment, the deposit record transaction line is a header containinginformation linking to the associated cash-in transactions.

In one embodiment, a deposit record transaction is tentatively storedand the cash-in transaction lines or records are not modified until amanager or accountant accepts the deposit record through, for example, auser interface. Acceptance of a generated deposit record would thencause the automatic modification of the cash-in transaction lines orrecords to reflect the association to a particular deposit record.

It should be understood that large numbers of cash-in transactions maybe imported in a single deposit record. An embodiment of the automatedbank deposit generator makes it possible to import an itemized deposit.Alternatively, the present invention provides a means by which cash-intransactions can be categorized and associated to a deposit, in order tomake it easier for an accountant to balance the accounts.

While the preceding discussion was focused largely on user-generatedbank deposits using the automated bank deposit generator (which can bereferred to as “deposits built by query”), an enterprise or user maywish to generate deposits automatically during cash-in transactionprocessing with little user intervention. In this case, the accountingsystem can be adapted to create the deposit information as the userperforms the cash-in transaction processing. The user can instruct orconfigure the system to generate a deposit automatically, and the systemwill automatically generate a deposit and associate each new cash-intransaction for a particular session with the generated deposit. In analternative embodiment, the user can create one or more deposit recordsand select between available deposits during the cash-in transactionprocess. For example, the register at the point of sale may allow themanager or the cashier to create one or more deposits and can be adaptedto prompt the cashier to select the appropriate deposit for each cash-intransaction. In this instance, cash-in transactions could be grouped bycash register, by user, by payment method, and so on.

In one embodiment, if the user decides to have deposits createdautomatically during cash-in transaction processing, the user can selectan existing unposted deposit, which will be available during cash-intransaction processing. In another embodiment, the system can beconfigured to automatically generate a deposit for each cash-intransaction without user interaction, such as for cash-in transactionprocessing of an electronic funds transfer (EFT) from an EFT system.

Finally, though the above discussion is directed to bank depositgeneration based on cash-in transactions, it should be understood thatthe system and methods of the present invention can be applied to anygrouping of financial transactions into a single transaction, such as atransfer transaction. For example, rather than a deposit record, thepresent invention can be used to generate a financial transfer recordcorresponding to the transfer of one or more assets between thesub-ledgers.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. An enterprise accounting system comprising: a connection connectableto at least one bank to permit the enterprise accounting system toaccess deposit data at the at least one bank; a data file containing aplurality of financial transactions for access by an enterpriseaccounting system user, each financial transaction having associatedinformation, and a first one of the financial transactions beingassociated with multiple tallied receipts; and a bank deposit generatoradapted to identify one or more cash-in transactions of the plurality offinancial transactions according to selectable criteria, and a first oneof the cash-in transactions including the multiple tallied receipts andto associate the first one of the cash-in transactions to a bank deposittransaction that includes the first one of the financial transactionsbased on a correlation between the associated information and theselectable criteria.
 2. The enterprise accounting system of claim 1further comprising: a user interface coupled to the bank depositgenerator and adapted for user interaction with the selectable criteria.3. The enterprise accounting system of claim 1 wherein the bank depositgenerator is adapted to modify the associated first one of the cash-intransactions to include a deposit identifier that identifies the bankdeposit transaction.
 4. The enterprise accounting system of claim 1wherein the selectable criteria comprises a bank account, a currency,and a payment method.
 5. The enterprise accounting system of claim 1wherein the selectable criteria comprises a bank account, a currency anda receipt status.
 6. The enterprise accounting system of claim 1 furthercomprising: a sort feature adapted sort the one or more cash-intransactions according to the selectable criteria.
 7. A method forgenerating a bank deposit in an enterprise accounting system, the methodcomprising: accessing deposit data from at least one bank through aconnection in the enterprise accounting system that is connectable tothe at least one bank; identifying cash-in transactions within afinancial transactions data file for access by an enterprise accountingsystem user, the identifying being based on one or more selectablecriteria, the cash-in transactions including a first cash-in transactionthat includes multiple tallied receipts; associating the identifiedcash-in transactions to a deposit record that includes a first depositrecord that includes the multiple tallied receipts; and updating thefirst cash-in transaction within the data file with a deposit identifierassociated with the deposit record of the first deposit.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein before the step of identifying, the method furthercomprising: selecting at least one of the one or more selectablecriteria for searching the financial transactions data file forunassociated cash-in transactions.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein thefinancial transactions data file comprises monetary transactions andassociated information.
 10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:generating a deposit report comprising one or more deposit records. 11.The method of claim 7 wherein the selectable criteria comprises a bankaccount and a currency.
 12. The method of claim 7 wherein the step ofassociating comprises: generating a new deposit record for theidentified cash-in transactions; and associating the identified cash-intransactions to the new deposit record.
 13. An enterprise accountingsystem comprising: a connection in the enterprise accounting system thatis connectable to at least one bank to access deposit data in the atleast one bank; a data file of cash-in transactions and associatedinformation for access by an enterprise accounting system user, thecash-in transactions including a first cash-in transaction that includesmultiple tallied receipts; and a bank deposit generator adapted toassign cash-in transactions to a bank deposit that includes the multipletallied receipts based on a correlation between the associatedinformation and selectable criteria.
 14. The enterprise accountingsystem of claim 13 and further comprising: a user interface adapted foruser interaction with the selectable criteria.
 15. The enterpriseaccounting system of claim 14 wherein the user interface allowsselection of any combination of the selectable criteria.
 16. Theenterprise accounting system of claim 13 wherein the bank depositgenerator is adapted to insert a deposit identifier associated with thebank deposit into each assigned cash-in transaction within the datafile.
 17. The enterprise accounting system of claim 13 wherein the bankdeposit is stored as a bank deposit record, the enterprise accountingsystem further comprising: a bank manager feature coupled to the bankdeposit generator and adapted to provide user access to the stored bankdeposit record.
 18. The enterprise accounting system of claim 13 furthercomprising: a user data file for storing usernames and associatedpasswords and access permissions.
 19. The enterprise accounting systemof claim 18 further comprising: an accounting engine adapted to controlaccess to the data file based on the user data file.
 20. The enterpriseaccounting system of claim 13 wherein each cash-in transaction can beassociated to only one deposit record.